Pirates seize two vessels with 22 Indian crew members off Yemen, Somalia

Sixteen Indian crew members were aboard a tanker that was commandeered in the Gulf of Aden, while six others were on a cargo vessel seized near Somalia's Puntland region, according to maritime authorities tracking the incidents. The dual hijackings underscore persistent security challenges facing commercial shipping in waters off Yemen and the Somali coast, where armed groups have long preyed on international merchant traffic.

Piracy in the region has fluctuated in recent years but remains a significant concern for the shipping industry and governments whose nationals work aboard vessels transiting the area. The seizures of the two ships represent a notable escalation in maritime incidents affecting Indian seafarers, who comprise a substantial portion of international crew rosters across global merchant fleets.

Authorities have not immediately disclosed details regarding the identities of the vessels, the circumstances of the hijackings, or demands made by the pirates. Maritime organizations and regional naval forces have been notified of the incidents and are coordinating response efforts.

The Indian government is expected to engage with relevant authorities in Yemen and Somalia to secure the safe release of its nationals. The hijackings add to growing concerns among shipping companies about crew safety and insurance costs in the volatile waters spanning the Red Sea and Indian Ocean approaches.